What is the CHP?

The Curly Hair Project (CHP) is an award-winning organisation founded by autistic author and entrepreneur Alis Rowe. CHP resources are used by individuals, families and professionals worldwide.

  • Endorsed by the world’s leading psychologist in autism, Professor Tony Attwood
  • As featured on BBC Radio 4

All our work is based on personal, real-life examples and experiences.

Who is The Girl With The Curly Hair?

The Girl With The Curly Hair is a character created by Alis to communicate the feelings and thoughts of a person who has autism.


The resources we have created include are:


How it came to be

The Curly Hair Project was founded by Alis Rowe. Alis has Asperger’s Syndrome but wasn’t diagnosed until adulthood. She spent her whole life feeling really isolated and ‘different’ and doesn’t want anyone else to have these feelings.


Autism and females

Lots of people are quite unaware of how autism presents in women. There are lots of women out there struggling and they perhaps don’t know why. Alis being open about it has already helped thousands of girls and women and their families around the world.


Endorsements

The Curly Hair Project resources are:

  • recommended by the Healthy London Partnership
  • on the recommended reading list for GPs
  • on the recommended reading list for people post-diagnosis
  • used by psychiatrists, GPs, psychologists, counsellors and other health professionals
  • used by teachers and support staff
  • endorsed by the leading psychologist in ASD, Professor Tony Attwood
  • recommended resources by the Association of Colleges

“I refer all my patients to Alis’ work and it really really helps them. She makes a massive difference.” – Psychiatrist

“I saw a family and the mother was in a terrible state. I mentioned for her to go and look at Alis’ work. When she came back for their next appointment, she had bought several books, subscribed to the website, gone to a workshop, and said it had completely transformed her relationship with her child. Suddenly she understood her child and their family life was transformed!” – Psychiatrist


What makes our work different

  • Based on real life, personal experiences
  • We teach people how to really apply the theory we teach about autism
  • A very ‘inclusive’ approach – supporting all people in developing communication and relationships
  • We don’t expect the rest of the world to change to fit in with the autistic person – we want everyone to adapt and work together!
  • We aim to help autistic people learn to understand themselves and their needs and ultimately be able to self-manage
  • Our work is all about acceptance, understanding and empathy for different world experiences
  • We can offer differentiated learning because Alis is on the autistic spectrum herself


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Fantastic Online Courses

Written and narrated by autistic author Alis Rowe, full of bright colours and visuals, comic strips and animations… we have managed to simplify and make exciting a very complicated subject!

Take a look at our Online Autism Courses >

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Animations

Watch our amazing animated films that provide an insight into the inner thoughts, feelings and experiences of someone who has autism.

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